Honorable Minister of Culture Heidy Purga! Respected ladies: Ambassador of Israel Amit Gil-Bayaz and Executive Director of the World Jewish Congress Maya Samokovlija! Dear friend Rabbi Shmuel Kot!
Good people!
A hundred years ago, Estonia wrote its name into the history of world democracy when the Jewish Cultural Autonomy was declared! In honor of this unique event, the name of the Republic of Estonia has been inscribed in Jerusalem in the Golden Book of the Jewish National Fund, which is important both for Estonia and for the whole world!
The declaration of Jewish Cultural Autonomy was — for the young Republic of Estonia at that time — a very important, brave, and noble step! And we commemorate this anniversary with the utmost respect! I believe that the participants of today's conference will certainly emphasize the historical significance of this event several more times!
I know you are expecting a welcoming speech from me! However, permit me to share my thoughts with you and ask a few, perhaps uncomfortable, questions, namely:
My answer is no!
No one can deny the significant contribution of Jewish doctors to Estonian medicine. Just think of the name Adik Levin! Anna Klas, Eri Klas, Frida Bernstein, Aaron Tamarkin, Jüri Alperten, and others — they are all part of Estonian music history! "Modestly" as I am, I will mention that my cousin Eri brought worldwide fame to Estonia!
And what about your professor, Mrs. Purga — Hagi Šein? David Vseviov, Simon Levin, Eino Baskin, Leo Falštein, Alla Jakobson? I will not list all the names of scientists, professors, lawyers, doctors, musicians... Believe me, there are very many of them, and all of them have contributed their best to the development of Estonia!
We, dear friends, have more in common than differences. On June 14, it will be 85 years since the day more than 10,000 Estonian citizens were deported to Siberia. Among them were over 10% of the Jews living in Estonia at that time — about 440 people! My grandfather was also arrested and died of starvation in Siberia! My mother, father, and my sister, who was only three years old at the time, were also deported.
This is our shared pain — of Estonians and Jews!
Jews built up this country together with Estonians; they defended, preserved, and continue to preserve our — yes, our — independence together with Estonians! Together we share our tragedies and are proud of Estonia's achievements!
I do not agree with the statement that Estonian Jews are some kind of "tolerated minority"! We are exactly the same citizens of this country as Estonians themselves! We are an inseparable part of Estonia! Most of us were born here! We speak Estonian, and not poorly at all! For many, Estonian is their mother tongue! We work here and pay taxes here! Believe it or not — we even smell the same way as Estonians! We root for Estonia at the Olympic Games and rejoice in the success of Estonian athletes… exactly like Estonians!
Together we are proud because Neeme, Paavo, Kristjan Järvi, Arvo Pärt, and Erkki-Sven Tüür have written their names into world music history! Both Estonians and Jews should be proud that a young man of Estonian-Jewish descent has grown into one of America's most prominent figures, whom President Trump appointed as the US Ambassador to Estonia. He is among us today — Roman Pipko!
Estonia is our home! I dream of Estonia being a country where no Jew has to seek protection based solely on the cultural autonomy that was declared a hundred years ago!
Unfortunately, I cannot avoid touching upon a very painful topic — antisemitism. We must not close our eyes to the growing antisemitism in the world, which unfortunately also threatens Estonia! Can a situation really be considered normal where the Jewish Community is forced to tighten security in its building, school, synagogue, kindergarten...?
A hundred years ago, Estonia proved that it is above prejudice! And we must continue along this path — not just with words or century-old legal formulations, but by showing true intolerance towards unfounded antisemitism!
Dear friends! Estonia's strength lies precisely in its unity! Therefore, Estonian Jews, being equal citizens of this country, will continue to heal, teach, play music, sing, conduct, and create... And all this so that our — though small, but so beautiful and dear — Estonia may flourish for several hundred more years!
Thank you!
Translated by AI Gemini
